Preschool Christmas Program

Hannah (5) , Jael (23 months), and Naomi (3)

Time again for the famous Preschool Christmas program at church. This year we had two participate. Hannah, our angel, was cast appropriately. Perhaps our little Nay-Nay was too! She was a darling sheep who began losing her "wool" as the stage heated up. Good thing the zipper was in the back! Jael was very excited to watch and anxious to be a part of things next year. What joy to hear praises from little voices.

Christmas Cross

This is a small view of Jon's ornament. . .unfortunately the camera was left outside. . .
another reminder that it's "just stuff", right?

Perspective. . .

Christmas . . . I admit, I love this time of year. I love the traditions and everything that precedes the celebration of our Lord's birth. Somehow I always envision our family gathered around the Christmas tree, hanging ornaments gaily, sipping eggnog, the cozy fire in the background. Sounds like a magazine cover - just not my house! Oh, if was fun. And there were tears. Usually mine, as one of the ornaments shatters. With fourteen little hands, it's inevitable that something will happen. As I watched the crushed face of one of my girls, God reminded me again that it's not the ornaments that are precious. . .

However, there is one ornament that is given a place of honor on our tree. Front and center. Most would not think it worthy of such a spot. It's a plain, leather cross with minimal decor. 1992 is stamped at the bottom. It was one of the first ornaments Paul and I were given that first Christmas together. Made by the hands of my older brother, a testimony of God's amazing love and grace in the life of one undeserving. A reminder to me of His power and faithfulness. A "stone" that we set out in order to proclaim to the next generation that God is good and He does good. Jon and Linda survived a near fatal car accident that previous June and the cross was made in rehab. It is a reminder, as well, that same God who saved them physically and spiritually, is continuing to keep them and complete them. And me.

I love traditions, but only has they point to Christ.

Jonathan's Birthday

So much for using the blog as a scrapbook! As behind as ever! Too much to capture, yet wanting to become more disciplined in keeping up with our family life. My time in SC at the end of August was good. Really good. I even remembered the camera. Oh yeah. I forgot the battery. Fortunately Papa is getting into on-line scrapbooks. So, I'll have to figure out if those can be loaded here.

That wrapped up August. September has been a blur. The first Sunday in September, Lolo had a stroke and was in the hospital that week. Came home and fell that weekend, only to be rehospitalized and given a pacemaker on Sunday of week two. After coming home from the hospital later that week, Lola became ill. Went into emergency and ended up with her own pacemaker on the 3rd Sunday of September. Wow. We are in an interesting season of life. We are thankful they are both feeling and doing better.

Jonathan then celebrated his 9th birthday on September 21! I can't believe this little guy isn't so little. He brings so much enthusiasm and laughter to our home. What a thoughtful young man, especially in regard to his Mama. He almost has something wrapped in a piece of napkin, shoved in the depths of his pockets that is pulled out for me - "something I saved for you, Mama." How can I resist?

Here's a few picture of his special day:

Buttercup's Burial

It was with much sadness that our beloved dwarf hamster, Princess Buttercup, was found still in her cage last week. She out-lived her 3-4 year expectation and was our fond pet for 5 years.

If you look closely, Buttercup is the small brown object in the bottom right corner of the cage!Another pet buried in the yard. . . . no, we didn't feed her to the snake! Plans on replacements on being discussed.

Favorites. . .

Since I've had a few requests for my book list recently, here are a few of my favorites. Although we are always adding! I recommend checking out Paul's list as well, it's on the scroll bar.

Favorite authors:

John Piper all

John MacArthur all

CJ Mahaney all

Voddie Baucham Family Driven Faith & What He must Be

AW Pink all

Martin Lloyd-Jones all

AW Tozer all Knowledge of the Holy/Pursuit of God

Jerry Bridges all

Elizabeth Elliot all

Nancy Leigh DeMoss all Lies Women Believe

McDonald & Chancey Desperate Housewives Passionate for God

Nancy Wilson The Fruit of Her Hands

Carolyn Mahaney Girl Talk & Feminine Appeal

Martha Peace The Excellent Wife & Attitudes of A Transformed Heart

Jay Adams From Forgiven to Forgiving

Lou Priolo The Heart of Anger

Edward Welch all When People are Big and God is Small

Dave Harvey When Sinners Say “I do”

Tedd Tripp Shepherding a Child’s Heart & Instructing a Child’s Heart

John Younts Everyday Talk

Paul David Tripp Age of Opportunity

Ginger Plowman Don’t Make Me Count to Three

David Gutterman A Child’s Profession of Faith

Ray Comfort all Leading Your Child To Christ . . .

RC Sproul, Jr When You Rise Up

I also recommend reading Christian biographies/autobiographies and early church fathers: Augustine, Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, Elizabeth Elliot, Amy Carmicheal, Corrie Ten Boom, “The Heavenly Man”, Jonathan & Sarah Edwards, Martin & Katie Luther, etc.

Christian Books/Authors for Children:

Bruce Ware

Joel Beeke

CS Lewis

John MacArthur’s series “A Faith to Grow On”

The Children’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos

Susan Hunt

Kenneth Taylor

Wendy Lawton

David and Karen Mains (Tales of the Kingdom series)

Doorposts.com (Instruction for Righteousness)

Patricia St. John

The Dangerous Journey/Pilgrim’s Progress

Operation World

Global Prayer Digest

RC Sproul’s children’s books

Louise A. Vernon’s books

The Millers Series (Rod and Staff)

A Hive of Busy Bees (readers from Rod and Staff)

Maxwell Family books (Titus2.com)

24 Family Ways by Whole Heart Ministries

Shorter Catechism

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart

Sovereign Grace Music

Steve Green “Hide them in your heart” series

Trailblazer Books

Reading Lists from Ambleside Online and Veritas Press

Soli Deo Gloria Books

Grace and Truth books

Lamplighter series

Elsie Dinsmore series

Voice of the Martyrs puts out Kids of Courage (a free magazine)

Helpful website for preschoolers: www.preschoolersandpeace.com

Hannah's Birthday. . .

Here is the precious video mentioned of Hannah opening her gift. . . hope it works! Listen for Sarah's comment!

Sorry, it's not working. . .will keep trying. . .